Many users with Windows 11/10 continue to experience various problems. Some of these problems are related to “EXPLORE FILE” of Windows 11/10, that is, everything related to opening files and folders, saving files, managing windows, and so on. In this article we will try to understand what the most common problems related to Windows 11/10 File Explorer are and what solutions to adopt.
What is Windows File Explorer?
File Explorer on Windows is an application built into the Windows operating system that allows users to browse and manage files and folders on their computer. It’s the equivalent of the Finder on macOS or File Explorer on older versions of Windows.
File Explorer It lets you view the organization of files on your computer, open folders, copy, move, or delete files, create new folders, and perform other file management operations. You can also search for specific files or folders, access external storage devices like USB drives or hard drives, and connect to network resources like printers or file shares.
It is a very useful tool for organizing and navigating through files on your computer, allowing you to quickly access the documents, images, videos, and other types of files you have stored. You can open File Explorer by clicking the icon in the Windows taskbar or by pressing the key Windows + E on the keyboard.
Common Problems with File Explorer Windows 11/10
The problems of “File Explorer” can be very annoying because they prevent you from working on your computer and/or cause a lot of time wasting. Here are the most common problems Windows 11/10 users encounter:
- Windows 11/10 File Explorer is not responding, not working, not opening – There are various problems with File Explorer that can occur and in this article we will show how to fix most of them.
- File Explorer crashes – Many users have reported that File Explorer crashes on their computer. This can be an annoying problem, but you may be able to fix it using one of the solutions described below.
- File Explorer keeps closing – some users are unable to launch File Explorer on their PC: File Explorer keeps closing and does not stay open.
- File Explorer Windows 11/10 slow – Many users have reported crashes and slowdowns when using File Explorer.
Before seeing the more sophisticated solutions and solving the problem with File Explorer, we suggest you do two simple things:
- Restart your computer: Sometimes, a simple system reboot can fix minor issues. Try restarting your computer and see if the problem persists.
- Use the Win + E key combination: Press the “Win” key (the one with the Windows logo) and the “E” key on your keyboard at the same time. This key combination should immediately open File Explorer. If this works, the problem may just be with the icon or shortcut on the desktop or in the taskbar.
If the problem persists then try the solutions described below.
Solution #1. Run “netsh” and “winsock reset”
Open the Command Prompt as administrator. You can do this by pressing the keys at the same time Windows + and selecting Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu. Or type the word cmd in the box Research at the bottom left and then right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Once the black window opens, type the command netsh and prizes Sending.
Then type the command winsock reset and press enter.
Once the process is complete you will only be asked to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
This first solution is perhaps the most effective one for solving different types of problems you have with File Explorer, such as blocking when opening or saving files.
Solution #2. Uninstall latest Windows update
Many users experience problems with File Explorer after a Windows update. In this case it is therefore advisable to “go back” and cancel the last update performed. Here’s how to do it.
- Go to Settings of Windows 11/10 and access the section Update & Security
- Click on now Update History > Uninstall Updates.
- Search for the latest installed update and uninstall it.
Solution #3. Hide “Hidden files and folders”
If you are having problems with File Explorer such as sudden crashes, you may be able to resolve the problem by simply “hiding” hidden files and folders. Some files are hidden by default, but you can make them visible by changing the settings. If hidden folders are shown, you may be experiencing problems with File Explorer, so you may try resetting these settings by doing the following:
- Press button Windows+S and search “File Explorer”
- Once the File Explorer folder opens, go to the VIEW tab and make sure the “Hidden Items” checkbox is unchecked as highlighted in the figure below:
After making these changes, the problem with File Explorer should be resolved. Many users reported that this solution worked, so try it too.
Solution #4. Run folder windows in a separate process
Another way to fix Windows 11/10 File Explorer issues is to have folder windows run in a separate process. Here are the simple steps to follow:
- You open File Explorer (if obviously you don’t have the problem of the continuous blocking and if it sometimes opens, or follow the previous solutions)
- Click on “Options” and then open the tab View. Here search and select the box Run folder windows in a separate process. Click Apply And OK to save your changes.
This solution has reportedly worked for many users, so we highly recommend you try it.
Solution #5. Disable Quick Access File Preview
If you are experiencing problems with File Explorer, you can also fix them by changing some settings. According to some users, it is sufficient to disable the quick access and file preview features. This is pretty simple to do. Here are the details:
- Open the Options File Explorer (if you can open it and it doesn’t systematically crash)
- In the tab General tax Open File Explorer for This PC. Uncheck the boxes below Show recently used files in Quick Access And Show recently used folders in Quick Access. You can then also click on “Clear” at the bottom to clear the File Explorer history.
- Then access the tab View and deselect the feature Show preview manager for files. Finally click on Apply and then up OK to confirm the changes.
- Finally, make sure the preview pane is disabled. You can disable it once you open File Explorer by pressing Alt + P on the keyboard.
After changing these options, check whether the problems with File Explorer are still present or resolved.
